S14 rattle sound from the Head

Hi Guys, calling all experts here. My S14 has a rattle sound coming from the head! It sounds almost like a tin sound and only comes around when the car is warmed up and you can only hear it when it is idling. Also there is a slight oil leak coming from the head at the front. Do you think it could be a bolt on the head thats loose. Please advise.

that or your timing chain loose and under no load it hits happend on my hardbody

poizen wrote:

that or your timing chain loose and under no load it hits happend on my hardbody

Thanks poizen! I did some reading and also found guys complaining about the chain causing the problem. How difficult is it to fix and does it require parts??? 🙄

Its probably the infamous VCT rattle.

Daniel wrote:

Its probably the infamous VCT rattle.

Mmmm so if it is infamous it is serious? how do I fix it???

with a beeeg hammer hahaha

well take your tappit covers off and see if the chan loos think it should have no more than 10-15mm play and to tighten im not sure my bakkie is a ka24de so it has hydrolic tensioner not sure with the sr20det

I believe you have to replace the VCT cam gear.

Edit: And its less serious than it is annoying.
Sure someone with a Camry will be along shortly though. 😉

poizen wrote:

with a beeeg hammer hahaha

well take your tappit covers off and see if the chan loos think it should have no more than 10-15mm play and to tighten im not sure my bakkie is a ka24de so it has hydrolic tensioner not sure with the sr20det

Yip good idea I suppose I will only know once the head comes off. Is advisable to drive it like this? do you think it will it cause any damage?

Daniel wrote:

I believe you have to replace the VCT cam gear.

Edit: And its less serious than it is annoying.
Sure someone with a Camry will be along shortly though. 😉

Oh no that sounds heavy, is it a mission to replace???

well like i say my bakkie did it i just drove and after 10km it came right but i have a hydrolic one but just take the cover off and a look if push comes to shove drive it

pull out the vct solenoid plug and see what it does

andre_sx wrote:

pull out the vct solenoid plug and see what it does

Sweet thanks Andre Mmmm now to figure out what that looks like 😛 the rookie in me showing 😂

poizen wrote:

well like i say my bakkie did it i just drove and after 10km it came right but i have a hydrolic one but just take the cover off and a look if push comes to shove drive it

Thanks man will do! appreciate the advice!

also does the knocking sound like the car is a diesel?

andre_sx wrote:

also does the knocking sound like the car is a diesel?

Thanks Andre! not quiet but is it certainly noticable! almost like an exhaust thats loose!

hopefully not like mine rattle noise from the head was a bearing knock at the end 😢

pulling the solenoid is the easiest way to check it should quite down do You have a service manual for this car pm me Your mail address and I'll send you one

andre_sx wrote:

hopefully not like mine rattle noise from the head was a bearing knock at the end 😢

pulling the solenoid is the easiest way to check it should quite down do You have a service manual for this car pm me Your mail address and I'll send you one

Yikes let hope not! 😮

Ok cool is it easy enough to pull out? no I will do.

Replace the VTC gear with a SR20DE or redtop SR20DET gear and a cambolt from the DE or Redtop DET. Did it on my car and the problem went away. The cam chains should last for about 150000 to 180000. If your motor has those miles then replace the chain and tensioner. You should be able to see the wear on the tensioner shoe from the top with a flashlight. If it is worn replace. But that is bad news since the head has to come off as well as the sump pan and ally cover on the bottom of the engine so the oil pump can be removed. For this however I'd suggest you pull out the motor and do the bearings, rings, headgasket etc. So a "minor" rebuild would be required.

good luck 😂

phoenix s14 wrote:

Replace the VTC gear with a SR20DE or redtop SR20DET gear and a cambolt from the DE or Redtop DET. Did it on my car and the problem went away. The cam chains should last for about 150000 to 180000. If your motor has those miles then replace the chain and tensioner. You should be able to see the wear on the tensioner shoe from the top with a flashlight. If it is worn replace. But that is bad news since the head has to come off as well as the sump pan and ally cover on the bottom of the engine so the oil pump can be removed. For this however I'd suggest you pull out the motor and do the bearings, rings, headgasket etc. So a "minor" rebuild would be required.

good luck 😂

Thanks man! Im pretty sure the chain would require a change as well she has done 148k kilos not sure if it was changed! Ok so if I take of the tappet cover I should be able to see if the tentioner has wear?

lets hope not! 🙁

it Vtc cam or timing chain...